The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has organized free medical examinations and distribution of drugs to residents of Ajah Ilaje community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos.
The medical outreach is part of the activities to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
The division also gave out food items to the indigent in the community, just as correctional eye glasses were issued to persons found to have certain eye related problems.
Other services rendered included issuances of anti-malaria drugs, deworming drugs, blood pressure and sugar checks, dental examination and general consultation.
At the commencement of the outreach at the weekend, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu said it was aimed at enhancing civil-military relations and mutual understanding.
He said: “Most times, we choose areas where we will impact and really touch base with the people; see their living conditions and also get them to know us and what the army stands for. We also use the opportunity to solicit information from them to enable security agencies deal with security threats.
“Ajah is a community that has a large water body not quite far from here. So, those areas through which we could have threats, we try to partner communities along the waterways so that if they see anything, they will report and we will keep an eye on it with the aim of ensuring that we have a safe area of responsibility (AOR).”
Fejokwu said the procedures for the medical services being rendered were the same as that of the hospitals- from consultation to distribution of drugs – adding that people whose situation could not be treated immediately were being referred to any close hospital for further action.
